RT Article
T1 A Process Evaluation of San Francisco’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Program
JF Criminal justice policy review
VO 33
IS 2
SP 148
OP 176
A1 Magaña, Erica Jovanna
A2 Perrone, Dina
A2 Malm, Aili E.
LA English
YR 2022
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1854972650
AB In 2016, San Francisco (SF) implemented the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, a harm reduction–based pre-booking diversion system for people who violate drug laws and/or are engaged in sex work. LEAD is set apart from existing diversion programs, as it uses police as point of entry. Prior LEAD studies indicate some success in reducing recidivism and improving life outcomes. However, less is known about program implementation, including barriers and facilitators. Relying on policy documents, interviews, and focus groups, this study describes the LEAD SF’s development, operations, adaptations, and challenges. It also identifies the unique context of LEAD SF that led to implementation barriers and facilitators. Results show that SF experienced success in collaboration, relationship building, and client connections to services but experienced challenges in securing and maintaining police officer buy-in and keeping clear and open lines of communication regarding LEAD goals, objectives, policies, and procedures. This led to the termination of LEAD SF in 2020.
K1 Drug offenders
K1 process evaluation
K1 realistic evaluation
K1 street-level bureaucrats
K1 pre-arrest diversion
DO 10.1177/08874034211033328